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MEMOIR 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 



BY 


REV. C. W ANDREWS. 






PHILADELPHIA: 


HERMAN HOOKER— 178 CHESTNUT STREET. 


1844. 






Entered according to Act ef Congress, in the year 1844, in the 
Clerk's Office of the District Conrt of the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania. 



W. S. Young, Printer, 



I 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Early History, and Labours for the Slaves, ... 5 

CHAPTER II. 

Emancipation of Slaves, and Colonization, ... 42 

CHAPTER III. 
Faith, • 72 

CHAPTER IV. 
Charity, .81 

CHAPTER V. 
The Close of Life, ,86 



MEMOIR. 



CHAPTER L 

EARLY HISTORY, AND LABOURS FOR THE SLAVES. 

St. Paul speaks of the saints as chosen in 
Christ to the praise and glory of his grace. It 
was given to the subject of the following 
notice to fulfil the purpose of her election in 
so remarkable a degree, that a number of Chris- 
tian friends and ministers have requested 
the author to prepare a brief account of her 
life, it being one well calculated, in the judg- 
ment of all who knew her, to make a deep im- 
pression of the reality and power of religion. 

Mrs. Anne Randolph Page was born on 
the 3d of December, 1781, at Chatham, near 
Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was the eldest 
daughter of Colonel Richard Kidder Meade — 
descended from a respectable English family, 
and educated at the celebrated school at Eton^ 
2 



6 MEMOIR OF 

under the walls of Windsor castle. In the war 
of the American revolution, Colonel Meade 
became the aid, and a favourite officer of Ge- 
neral Washington, being associated in his mi- 
litary family with Hamilton, Pinckney, and 
Laurens, in the memorable campaign of 1777 
and 1778. 

Her mother was remarkable for the strength 
and purity of her religious feelings. Firm 
and discreet in the government of her chil- 
dren, she instructed them minutely and tho- 
roughly in all parts of Christian duty, and this 
in so solemn and affectionate a manner, as to 
inspire them with the greatest veneration and 
love for her. It was a striking trait in the 
character of both parents, that they lived in 
great simplicity and plainness, (when they pos- 
sessed the means of doing otherwise,) in order 
that they might be able to sustain works of 
charity. Their example in this respeet was not 
lost upon their children. As an evidence of 
the w T isdom of their domestic government, 
their children's reverence for the parental will 
continued without abatement after the age and 
infirmities of the parents had withdrawn them 
from their stations in the family. The sub- 
ject of this memoir, after the lapse of forty 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 7 

years, had the liveliest impressions of mater- 
nal example and instruction — kept her sayings 
fresh in her memory — attributed her subse- 
quent attainments in religion to the early 
direction her mind had received — and in her 
last moments expressed her wish to rejoin her 
society. 

Mrs. Page was the subject of early religious 
impressions. She speaks of herself as having 
found pleasure in the exercises of religion at 
the age of fourteen. In her seventeenth year 
she received for the first time the sacrament 
of the Lord's supper; but as it appears, very 
much in conformity with the custom of the 
times, having had no definite impression of the 
doctrine of the new birth. 

It would not be singular, if in that day she 
fell into the error — alas so general in our own 
— of making a personal profession of religion 
upon no other ground than that of some serious 
feelings upon the subject, mistaking conviction 
for conversion, or regarding the communion 
as a means of conversion, instead of a means 
of grace to the converted. But grace pursued 
the subject of this narrative, and suffered her 
not to rest under this delusion. She was ar- 
rested by conviction, and fell under a dread 



8 MEMOIR OF 

of "judgment to come," of which, she says 
she had before had no conception. 

In the year 1799, being in her eighteenth 
year, she was united in marriage to Matthew 
Page, Esq., of Annfield, in the County of Fre- 
derick, a gentleman of high respectability, and 
the proprietor of one of the largest estates in 
that part of Virginia. 

Her new position was calculated to draw 
her mind farther from God — surrounded by a 
numerous circle of worldly friends, in the ge- 
neral habit of Sunday dining parties, possessing 
wealth, and under strong temptations to a life 
of fashionable indulgence. There was also, at 
this time, an almost entire want of evangelical 
ministers in the Episcopal Church in Virginia. 
The few religious books then in circulation 
were exceedingly defective, the best of them 
partaking largely of such faults as are found in 
" Law's Serious Call." The best instructed 
Christians seem to have but obscurely under- 
stood the doctrines of man's depravity, the all- 
sufficiency of Christ, and the free justification 
of a sinner through faith. 

But while thus unfavourably situated, God, 
who is rich in mercy, in his great love where- 
with he loved her, led her, by means of ,his 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. U 

own selection, to a deep and thorough convic- 
tion of sin. Feeling the incapacity of all tem- 
poral things to content the soul, and forgetful 
of them all, she began to cry, What shall I do 
to be saved? But there were none to tell 
her. Without ministers, without books, and 
without friends who could understand her pre- 
sent feelings, she walked her private chamber 
in tears, feeling that she was cast upon God 
alone. Possibly she was intentionally so left 
by Providence, in the beginning, to judge for 
herself, in the most important of all concerns, 
with no other light than the Bible, as she was 
often called in after life to act independently 
of the judgment of others. The finger of 
God is often visible in the early training of 
those servants whom he designs for great use- 
fulness. 

But this part of her experience will be best 
related in her own words. "The spring I 
was married, and the summer following, I 
went with the customs of the neighbourhood ; 
but in the ensuing spring — well I remember 
the day — a slight accident affecting my health, 
seemed to awaken me as from a dream. The 
idea of death was so strongly presented to my 
2* 



10 MEMOIR OF 

mind, as to fill me with horror, although I had 
before contemplated it without fear. But now 
my thoughts became alarming, and my health 
declined. I dined out as seldom as possible, 
— impressed as I was by the sense of an ap- 
proaching judgment, where the scriptures told 
me, time and all other talents must be ac- 
counted for. 

" I cried to God in my distress, but cried in 
vain. From my earliest youth the song and 
the dance had had great attraction to me. But 
now all was changed. And what I had re- 
garded as religious enjoyment was also gone. 
Prayer was a dead thing. The time had now 
come when God was about to show me myself, 
and the sight brought me near to despair. If I 
stood before a mirror to arrange my clothing, 
the thought that this mortal frame was con- 
demned already, filled me with dread. Views 
of sin, and the just desert of sin, filled my 
mind, while I had not a ray of hope from the 
sacrifice of Christ. I laid on my pillow as 
Cowper expressed his experience, ' in horror, 
and awoke only to despair/ My dreams were 
in consonance with my state of mind. In vain 
did I fast and pray, until fasting and prayer 
became almost the objects of sole attention. 



MRS. ANNE R, PAGE. 11 

No comfort came from week to week, and 
from month to month. In vain I would early; 
rise and late take rest — reading my Bible and 
other books — sometimes determining to take 
no rest until I had found pardon. Sometimes 
I strove to find comfort in hymns. I well 
remember two which I dwelt upon much; 
one/ From whence these direful omens round/ 
the other, ' When dangers, woes, and death 
are nigh/ The last verse of the former — 

'Let sin no more my soul enslave, 
Break, Lord, its tyrant chain, 
Oh save me whom thou cam'st to save, 
Nor bleed nor die in vain/ — 

was often my resort in times of greatest dis- 
tress. And when peace was given, my feel- 
ings found expression in the following: — 
"All-glorious God; what hymns of praise," &c. 
Ah ! those scenes which I passed through ! My 
soul hath them still in remembrance, nor would 
I ever forget them. It is pleasing to me to 
remember all the circumstances connected 
with them, even the season of the year, the 
kind of weather, and the various occurrences 
which took place during a period indelibly 
graven on my heart, by reason of the suffer- 
ings I had now at length laid on me by my 
faithful Saviour." 



12 MEMOIR OF 

It would have been pleasing to have found 
a fuller account of her experience when the 
"peace" alluded to above was given, but all 
the writings which she left were found in her 
writing case upon loose pieces of paper, and 
were evidently composed as aids in her hours 
of private devotion. The following has refe- 
rence to the same subject. " Oh thou who 
hast a feeling for our infirmities, look upon 
me now with an eye of pity. Once despair 
and failing of heart well nigh brought me to 
the grave; but thou, my Saviour, my God, 
didst show thyself mighty to save. 

c Once a sinner near despair, 

Sought thy mercy-seat in prayer, 
Mercy heard and set him free, 

Lord, that mercy came to me. 
Many days have passed since then, 

Many changes I have seen; 
Yet have been upheld till now — 

Who could hold me up but thou.' " 

Although no extended account of her expe- 
riences at the time of her conversion is found 
among her papers, it is easy to ascertain what 
they were from occasional allusions to them 
when writing upon other topics. Despairing 
at length of all help in creatures, and of any 
ability in herself to make God propitious by 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 13 

any external reformation or services, she cast 
her soul upon his free mercy through Christ, 
encouraged only by his promises to the guilty 
and perishing, she received grace to plead the 
all-perfect righteousness of her Redeemer, and 
by faith relied upon him wholly for accep- 
tance with God. So doing, her burden pre- 
sently fell off, and she found herself a new 
creature. The following papers throw light 
upon the state of her mind at this time. 

" Communion with God is the highest joy 
my soul is capable of receiving. It elevates 
my views above the changes and tumults of 
this mortal state, and gives a 'serene affiance/ 
which I feel to be a foretaste of heaven. Yet 
is my spirit often unnerved and cold in the 
duty, — the glorious privilege of communing 
with God. And is it thus, blessed Redeemer, 
with one whom thou dost never forget? Look 
down, look down, and help thy servant to rise 
to thee. Behold I am helpless and needy, and 
encompassed with sin. I know not how to 
look to Thee, yet to Thee only can I look, 
when weary and heavy-laden. My Saviour's 
voice — " Come unto me, ye that labour/' 
sounds through my heart, and awakens my 
confidence. 



14 MEMOIR OF 

" Thy love has for some days past, pressed 
almost singly upon my view. Oh sweet sup- 
porter of my soul, while on my bed of sick- 
ness, most justly might my spirit have been 
given up to anxious care about the body, but 
thy love came over me w 7 ith such an all-per- 
vading, sanctifying power, as engrossed my 
soul, absorbed all my powers, and left none 
for those anxieties which often afflicted me in 
my daily course with this wicked world." 

" Here is my comfort in all trouble — the 
gift of the Son of God! The price is paid for 
every thing I want, both for myself and 
others. But I — faithless, am often filled and 
borne down with creature anxieties — the very 
opposite of faith. Oh, the want of faith! It 
seems the root of all sin." 

" My soul, with groanings w r hich cannot be 
uttered, casts a longing, lingering look upon 
the blood-stained cross, where every hope of 
man must centre. Mercy — free mercy is my 
cry, and in every groan my spirit sends up- 
ward on this and other errands, the blood of 
the Son of God is my dependence. This is 
my all, for earth and heaven. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 15 

She became a diligent student of the word 
of God without note or comment. Her at- 
tainments in it, in a short time, would have 
been truly surprising to older Christians, who 
did not know the extraordinary preparation 
she had for the discovery of truth. 

She desired, aimed at, and intended nothing 
less than absolute conformity to it in all things. 
The result was the speedy attainment c*f clear 
and strong views, both of doctrine and duty, 
and a full assurance of her acceptance. 

The practical and doctrinal views which she 
thus formed, she some time after found con- 
firmed much to her joy, in the writings of Dr. 
Thomas Scott, and other evangelical writers 
of his day. 

Life now presented to her objects and pros- 
pects altogether new. Surrounded, indeed, by 
every inducement to live for the world, and 
to indulge in that useless and selfish style too 
often produced by wealth and the possession 
of a large number of slaves — but these had no 
attractions to her now. What others pursued 
as objects of serious concern, appeared to her 
like toys and childish things. 

As by the light of opening day 

The stars are all concealed, 
So earthly pleasures fade away> 

When Jesus is revealed. 



16 MEMOIR OF 

Though of a weak constitution of body, she 
had a remarkable energy of mind, and an irre- 
pressible desire to follow her Master's example 
m doing good. In her situation, a heart less 
conscious of the obligation of redeeming grace, 
or less apprehensive of the nature and awful 
consequences of sin, might have discovered 
little to do. Not so with her. She had first 
a work of reformation in her own manner of 
life, as to the occupation of time, which may 
be gathered from her own language in the fol- 
lowing paper " The practice of dining out 

was at that time carried to a great extent in 
our neighbourhood. I soon began to feel that 
my fellow creatures in bondage upon the plan- 
tations ought to take the place in my mind 
and time, of this frequent dining about. I 
was giving my time and powers to my equals 
in life, who were not wanting them, while 
these dependent poor suffered for both. These 
views continued to gain strength until the fear 
of God enabled me to overcome the fear of 
man, and I assumed courage to refuse an invi- 
tation. On being rallied by a friend shortly 
after, for absenting myself from the party, I 
was not courageous enough to avow the prin- 
cipal reason, but assigned what was in part 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 17 

true, that I had been engaged in domestic pre- 
parations for the winter. Not long after this, 
on a Sabbath after church, I was going, accord- 
ing to the general custom, to dine out ; but 
the Spirit of God spoke better counsel, and 
enabled me to turn into a solitary November 
home, without a white person near. This was 
the first time I had returned home on Sunday 
from a religious motive. I shut myself up in 
my room, where my soul was engaged with 
the thoughts of judgment and eternity. While 
thus engaged in my chamber, an old blind 
negro woman was led in, who was a dear child 
of God. We began a conversation in which 
she used expressions respecting entire confi- 
dence in Christ, which made an indelible im- 
pression upon my mind, being quite clear to 
me at this distant period. I think I owe her., 
under God, much of my religious joy in after 
years. Dear old creature, I often visited her 
in her cottage, and witnessed the evidences of 
her triumphant faith. She was a living exam- 
ple of Christ formed in the soul, the hope of 
glory." 

All her time was now conscientiously em- 
ployed for the best ends. It was her daily 
effort to effect some good for others, especially 
3 



18 MEMOIR OF 

her numerous connexions, who were not only 
worldly for the most part, but quite incapable 
of appreciating the feelings under which she 
acted. But love is fruitful in expedients, and 
she found many means of making good impres- 
sions, many instances of which have come to 
the writer's knowledge since her decease. By 
her serious and affectionate discourse, numbers 
were in the course of years led to feel the vast 
importance of religion. Seldom was her house 
visited by any person, upon whose mind she 
did not aim directly to make some profitable 
impression, confirming her own words by a 
book or tract, or paper containing some striking 
piece which she had laid aside for such a pur- 
pose. Of such works she distributed a great 
number, embracing a considerable library of 
religious works. She made it a duty to keep 
herself prepared for such occasions, as her 
house was much frequented, though going but 
little into company herself. 

The following is one of a large number of 
papers of a similar kind, composed under a 
great variety of circumstances, showing how 
every opportunity for usefulness was watched 
and sacredly improved,' and by what spirit and 
means she was able in a private station to 
effect so much. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 19 

" Give me grace at this time to be of some 
service to the soul of a dear young relative, 
now on a visit to us. I know I am too 
unworthy to hope to do any thing for Thee 
of myself. Yet I must not, — cannot give 
up the hope of labouring, because so unpro- 
vided in myself. Thy supplies have been 
ever open for me to draw from in my own 
experience, and now, Oh thou Saviour of lost 
sinners, thou Light in darkness, thou Deliverer 
in extreme despair, look upon the case which 
I now bring before Thee: give me to think, 
and speak, and act, with a view to the ever- 
lasting benefit of this young person, and also 
for the poor infidel, his fellow traveller. En- 
lighten his dark mind, and let not his skeptical 
expressions sink into the minds of my children 
or servants, who hear, as they pass, things so 
new to them." 

" My unworthiness oppresses me. I have 
a task to perform, and I shrink from it under 
this plea — unworthiness. I have a clear view 
of some errors in a dear friend, which are a 
stumbling block in the way, and hinders that 
influence in winning others to Christ, which is 
so important. Long have 1 desired to be 



20 MEMOIR OF 

faithful in communicating my views and fears, 
yet faithlessly have I dreaded doing evil, in- 
stead of looking up in strong confidence, and 
committing my way to my God, and trusting 
Him to effect the good which I plainly see 
might be done by such a procedure. Father, 
enable me to speak or write." 

"Lord, thou seest the danger of friends 
meeting together, and never speaking to each 
other of Christ or his salvation, or aught per- 
taining to his kingdom. The danger and sin 
of such meetings has broken me off for many 
years from mingling much with company. I 
felt that it was unsafe for me, and now as I 
am, with much fearfulness, to commence again 
partially, teach me how to proceed in all my 
communications. Let me be so filled with 
Thee, that Christ may be upon my lips and in 
all my demeanour." 

And again, upon the eve of going into com- 
pany, — " Oh God, be with us in this interview, 
that all may be overruled to the sanctification 
of each one. When will the time come for 
our perfecting holiness in the fear of God? 
When shall the children of Zion meet to pass 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 21 

the time, (now lamentably trifled away,) in 
forming great and glorious plans for their Re- 
deemer's cause, in the souls of his creatures?" 

"While I was on the road to the springs, 
Thou wast pleased to exercise my soul in a 
way of faith, in Thee, that I never before so 
fully experienced. In endeavouring to make 
some mental resolutions for the government of 
my conduct and my children's while there, I 
felt a faintness of heart seize me, and the 
tempter suggested in a manner very painful — 
Ah, why attempt to carry these desires into 
the form of resolutions, — suppose frail nature 
should give way, it will be worse with my 
soul than to let it range (with regard to these 
special subjects,) in the usual way of praying 
and trying to do my best. While thus trou- 
bled, this suggestion came sweetly over me; 
— Make the resolutions, but ground them all 
on Christ — on Christ alone. I was then filled 
with a victorious faith, that calmed, elevated, 
and strengthened my soul. And oh, glorious 
Immanuel, how. didst thou carry me through 
with those resolutions? During the whole time 
of my stay, not one was broken!" 
3* 



22 MEMOIR OF 

She was equally ready with her pen, where 
that method of approach seemed most expe- 
dient.* 

In this way she became a light to the world 
as a city set on a hill. The ease and pro- 
priety with which religious conversation wa§ 
introduced with the most opposite characters 
was often remarked. From the abundance of 
the heart the mouth spoke. « It were as easy 
to stop the sun from shining," says an old 
divine, "as to stop a gracious soul from spread- 
ing the light of that knowledge which God 
has imparted." 

* A striking instance came within the author's know- 
ledge from the copy of a letter which she had evidently 
not intended to preserve. Such changes have since taken 
place, that tli£ circumstance may be related without im- 
propriety. She had formed an acquaintance with a 
young man of promising talents who had determined to 
study for the ministry, but who she felt confident had 
never felt the power of experimental religion. She ad- 
dressed to him a very solemn and affectionate letter, in 
which she expressed to him all her fears and the grounds 
of them, manifesting at the same time such a concern for 
his feelings and his best interests, as must have impressed 
him with the purity of her motives. She never commu- 
nicated with any of her friends upon the subject, of 
which she assured him, and desired him at the same 
time not to answer her letter, but seriously to consider 
the question itself, as it was one in which his chief con- 
cern was with God. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 23 

She was early blessed as the instrument of 
bringing into the ministry her younger bro- 
ther, the present Bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in the diocese of Virginia, 
whose influence in the revival of evangelical 
religion in that diocese is well known. She 
had an ardent desire for more extensive use- 
fulness. But what could she do? — a feeble 
fearful female, and in many respects alone? 
She would willingly have gone as a missionary 
to any part of the world: but to this she was 
evidently not called. Yet restless love moved 
her to effort for Christ, and she soon found 
herself called by him to a great missionary 
work in her own country, and at her own 
home. 

Upon her marriage, she found herself the 
mistress of an estate upon which there were 
more than two hundred slaves. This pre- 
sented a field for charity like hers, and opened 
the important work for which, doubtless, Pro- 
vidence designed her. In addition to ordinary 
means of usefulness, she sought no greater 
pleasure or honour than to serve her Lord in 
the persons of "his poor," as she emphatically 
styled the dependent slave. There are many 
living witnesses of the extraordinary fidelity, 



24 MEMOIR OF 

constancy, and affection with which she la- 
boured in this field, from about the year 1810 
until the day of her death. 

The author has found it a difficult task to 
keep within the limits assigned to this narra- 
tive in selecting from her numerous excellent 
papers, connected with this subject. Like 
most of her other papers, they are in the form 
of prayer, which came at length to be the ele- 
ment in which she lived and moved. What 
Ashmun said of another devoted friend of 
the African race, might have been said in 
truth of Mrs. Page, — "her very thoughts were 
prayer." 

These papers will be peculiarly interesting 
to all conscientious persons who have had to 
do with slaves. The first of those following 
was written in 1823, others earlier, and others 
are without date. 

"Regard in mercy, oh God, the whole sad 
scene which thou hast caused me in mercy for 
so many years to mourn over, and bring before 
thee by night on my often sleepless bed — 
sleepless from pressing thoughts for some re- 
medy for evils which continue because, alas, 
they are not considered evils. Thy sabbaths 
are profaned; thy word is not made known to 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 25 

the throngs who inhabit the smoky huts, and 
till our fields. Their souls are as dear to thee 
as ours, who have the priceless treasure of thy 
word committed to us. Wilt thou not then 
visit for these things? Will not thy long- 
suffering at last eome to an end? Shall thy 
sabbaths and thy word be deposited in our 
hands for the use of souls, and we wrap our- 
selves up in selfishness and forget that thou 
hast said that for all these things thou wilt 
bring us into judgment? Forbid it Lord. 
Awake us — arouse us — strike an alarm from 
the vast ocean of eternity which rolls so near! 
Give us to believe the awful threatenings 
against those who slight thy sabbaths and 
neglect to labour for souls committed to their 
charge, who let ignorance reign, and suffer thy 
people to be destroyed for lack of knowledge. 
Open our eyes to the gross and almost hea- 
thenish darkness which surrounds us. Take 
away our selfishness, and give us to care more 
for the bodies as well as the souls of our slaves, 
knowing that we must give an account of our 
stewardship. 

" Have you considered, my children, the 
full amount of the evils of slavery? No, they 



26 MEMOIR OF 

cannot be seen by human powers. They form 
a part of those hidden things of darkness, 
which are linked by a chain which reaches 
into the dominion of Satan, not only here on 
earth, but into his more complete dominion in 
the realms of deepest hell! 

•" Remember ' not many rich, not many 
noble, not many mighty are called/ Make 
not provision then, for the unnecessary indul- 
gence of the flesh. We find many warnings 
to those in power, as to their neglect of the 
poor. 

"We are especially tempted to make the 
poor subservient to our own indulgence when 
these poor are our bond slaves, and we can do 
as we like with them, and hush their mur- 
murs by authority or by selling them. What 
charges did I receive on this subject from my 
mother? She would say 'your guests see 
your well-spread table, but God sees in the 
negro's cabin/ 

u 1 earnestly desire to fix on a plan for the 
most speedy and advantageous delivery of 
these slaves from bondage, not only temporal 
but spiritual. Thou seest that all I design for 
them is their happiness in this world and in 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 27 

that which is to come. It has been given me 
to bear their contradictions, and love them 
through all their opposition, and the hard life 
of care which they make me lead. But keep 
my own transgression ever in my view, that I 
may feel how much more inexcusable my sins 
against thee are, than any of my fellow-crear- 
tures can be against me." 

" Oh my Father, from the distressing task 
of regulating the conduct of my fellow-crea- 
tures in bondage, I turn and rest my weary 
soul on thy parental bosom. Thy mysterious 
wisdom has ordained that the whole creation 
shall groan and travail in pain together for a 
season. Oh Lord, thy will is wiser than the 
will of thy creature. This thou hast said, that 
all who seek thee shall find deliverance from 
this thraldom, and we feel the fulfilment of 
this promise — yea, we even feel the verity of 
thy Son having died for us — we feel the love 
of our Father God, in the midst of all the sor- 
rows that encompass us. 

" My soul hath felt the awful weight of sin 5 
so as to despair in agony — so as to desire that 
I had never had being. Oh God ! then — then 
I felt the importance of a mediator, not only 



28 MEMOIR OF 

to intercede but to suffer under the burden of 
my guilt." 

—1825, 
« Added to my own especial needs, I have 
to lay before thee this night, the case of one 
who professes to belong to thy fold, and dear 
to me for thy sake, my servant according to 
the flesh, but my sister in thy love. She lacks 
knowledge to adorn her profession, and I have 
often to reprove her for conduct which would 
be wrong in such as make no profession. This 
she takes not aright. Give her for Christ's 
sake a clearer light, that she may know how to 
walk, so as to bring honour to thy name,, 
which she professes. I have ardently desired 
to try every means to bring her right, yet let 
me not give up in despair. Of myself, I never 
could have borne what I have with her, but 
faith and patience must be tried. To keep 
closer to thee, and feel thy wisdom working 
for me, is my only support. Correct what i& 
wrong, both in her soul and mine, as thou seesfc 
what is wanting in both." 

—2826. 
" Father of mercies, I lack wisdom in deal- 
ing with my poor fellow creatures in bondage. 
My soul is troubled from day to day, to know 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 29 

how to guide their erring way. My Father,— 
our Father, direct, control, suggest; strengthen 
me to my appointed task. Show them what 
they ought to do. Flesh and blood would faint 
under what I have to go through with; but 
thou upraisest me when borne down, or my 
spirit would fail in the labours of the way. 

Oh thou who sweetenest all the cup to me, 
by giving to me a never-failing love for them, 
and enablest me to present them in the same 
petition with my own soul, I come now to ask 
for more wisdom in my outward dealings with 
them, and, that thou wouldst bless them with 
all the blessings of thy salvation." 

—1828. 

" The responsibilities of my station are 
weighty, but I am not overburdened by them, 
because God has told me to cast all my cares 
upon him, and has promised to uphold and 
direct me in them. And how has he made 
good this promise to me? First, in causing me 
to make known all my desires and plans to 
him in prayer, and then in bearing me onward 
through difficulties, in a spirit which I knew 
w T as not my own. 

By nature irritable and proud, I have re- 
4 



30 MEMOIR OF 

ceived as a free gift, the spirit of overcoming 
love towards the poor of my own household. 
May I not be suffered to faint or tire in this 
work, though their uninformed minds place an 
undue estimate upon those designs which are 
intended for their temporal and eternal bene- 
fits . 

To work by others at that time for slaves, 
was not practicable. And although for years 
almost a constant sufferer from weakness of 
body, she undertook a school for the young, 
and such others as were not employed upon 
the plantations. In this way, considerable 
classes were taught to read, and supplied with 
Testaments and Bibles. Access was also 
sought to the whole number, for some reli- 
gious instruction. For their sakes she reduced 
such expenses as were within her control, ta 
the lowest amount consistent with propriety, 
in order to prevent any necessity for their 
being sold. She also practised much self-de- 
nial^ to procure the means of saving them from 
the vicious courses to which they were so 
much exposed, and so much inclined. Among 
so many, some were always sick, and in the 
course of years, many died. These she visited 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 31 

with unwearied attention, and while she ten- 
derly supplied their outward wants, she dis- 
coursed to them upon the salvation of the gos- 
pel in the most sweet and heavenly manner. 
For this she had a remarkable talent. The 
writer has heard her (both on such occasions, 
and when addressing those who continued ob- 
stinately in their wicked ways,) in a strain 
w r hich affected him to tears. She was their 
friend in ail their trials, and the protector of 
the oppressed and helpless. In this she some- 
times displayed both courage and address so 
admirable, that praise can scarce exaggerate it. 
A single instance may be given in proof, with- 
out impropriety, in the following copy of a 
letter to an overseer. 

Sir, — 1 see myself placed second in charge 
over the interests of the souls on this estate. 
I dare not before God keep back from serving 
them in every way in my power. I shall soon 
be called to meet them at the judgment seat of 
my Lord and Master. Think then, that what 
I have to say to you comes not from any 
slight or wavering principle. My soul takes 
hold on God, and speaks to you. I fear not 
man, nor the thoughts of man. In the name 



32 MEMOIR OF 

of that God who rules all things, I warn you 
against prosecuting the plans you have begun? 
of injuring the innocent "girl who lately lost 
her mother. That mother is received into 
heaven, and God, the Ruler of the universe, 
will protect her child. Turn to that God. 
Ask his all-powerful goodness to turn your 
soul to him ; then will you shudder with hor- 
ror, and see that as you are placed, you might 
be the father of the people whom you rule, 
while alas, you are but the betrayer. The sin 
of the world makes you think lightly of sin ; 
but remember, if we follow the world to do 
evil, we shall be condemned with the world to 
eternal punishment. For the sake of your 
own interests after death, (and death is near to 
all,) for the sake of the station in the world 
which you stand in, take thought and consider 
your ways. I beg of you to call upon God 
from your inmost soul, to give you light and 
life. 

I beg of you to read the gospel which he 
sent to man by his own Son, Jesus Christ. 
Sir, it is an awful trust before God, to rule 
over slaves. I feel that I shall have to render 
strict account for all that I do, or fail to do, 
with regard to them. You have the same to 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 33 

answer for. You at the head of a plantation, 
might walk before them in that path which 
would draw them after you to heaven. There 
is a heaven! There is a hell! Read the message 
sent from heaven; pray to believe it. God 
will hear sincere prayer. Unless you choose 
to make this letter known, I shall not. I shall 
keep a copy of it, that if any thing should 
cause me to speak to my husband oft the sub- 
ject, he may see what I have written. You 
need not trouble yourself to answer it; I shall 
judge of your temper and conduct by other 
means. 

May the Lord grant you grace to turn your 
soul to himself. I send you herewith a book, 
which I earnestly exhort you to read with at- 
tention. Read in your leisure moments by day 
and at night. God will call you to account 
for not reading holy books, since he has fa- 
voured you with the power of doing so. 
To Overseer at the — Quarter. 

Every opportunity was sought for awaken- 
ing others to a sense of their duties to their 
slaves. That in such a work she should not 
have met with opposition and severe trial was 
not to be expected. It was impossible for 



34 MEMOIR OF 

those not like-minded with herself to appre- 
ciate her spirit and motives. Some supposed 
her wanting in judgment and discretion, in 
her efforts for the slaves; (of which it is not 
unlikely there were some occasional exam- 
ples,) but more rebuked by her example and 
conscious of their own misdoings represented 
her as endangering the peace of the commu- 
nity. It was almost as hazardous an under- 
taking then to do any thing for the negroes 
which should obtain notoriety, as it would be 
now, to preach in an English pulpit on the 
lawfulness of slavery. 

Being of an affectionate and sensitive spirit 
she keenly felt these things, and often op- 
pressed with much bodily weakness, she would 
gladly have given up all for the sake of rest 
and the more kindly opinion of friends. But 
this could not be. Her apprehensions of duty 
had been too distinct, and her love of souls 
too ardent. She continued her school, as her 
husband did not object, and the other means 
already mentioned. The constant vision of 
Christ by faith sustained her spirit in cheer- 
fulness, under difficulties which would have 
discouraged and turned back less favoured 
Christians; but it was given her to work with 
her eternal resting-place full in view. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 35 

And here it is proper to remark, that in all 
her sacrifices of property, time, and health, for 
the people of colour, or the opposition she 
sometimes encountered in the discharge of 
what she conceived her duty toward them, she 
never sympathized in the language and aggres- 
sive measures subsequently employed against 
those who held them as slaves. Her affection- 
ate concern embraced them equally. On this 
exciting topic her love burned with its proper 
flames: it had no mixture of wrath. Her feel- 
ing was well expressed in a prayer found in 
the journal of her sister, who died some time 
after her return from a journey to the south, 
"Lord have mercy upon the poor slaves of 
Georgia, and their still poorer masters." 

The troubles of those who undertake to 
labour for the slaves in the southern states 
cannot well be conceived, if the labourer's 
standard of duty rises much above that of the 
community. He has to do with a subject on 
which people quickly become violent, and on 
which too many Christians are soon angry. 
This state of things tries the fidelity of minis- 
ters, and strongly tempts them to keep back 
things which cannot be kept back consistently 
with a good conscience. And that they should 



36 MEMOIR OF 

themselves become partial judges to some ex- 
tent, considering their circumstances, may be 
counted upon with almost as much certainty 
as we can count upon the operation of human 
nature in any situation. So much at least 
may be said without disparagement to them. 
God grant that what many of them are sin- 
cerely attempting, they may have grace to ac- 
complish. Through a gradual melioration of 
sentiment, reasonable and prudent instruction 
is tolerated; in some places it is invited. But 
should there be opposition, are the public 
teachers of religion to yield on that account? 
Suspicions and unjust charges maybe endured 
in a good cause, and contradiction endured 
under the solemn apprehension that death will 
shortly silence those to whom reason is ad- 
dressed in vain. It is a small thing in masters 
to tolerate, or even invite that which with a 
holy sincerity they should themselves see to 
the performance of. 

Mrs. Page lost no opportunity for improving 
the condition of the slaves, both in temporal 
and spiritual things: but she was not at all 
satisfied with the best that she could do for 
them here. Her charity looked beyond the 
narrow limits of her home and neighbourhood. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 37 

Her soul was deeply and incessantly afflicted 
with the general condition of the people of 
colour: not that those under her own observa- 
tion were subject to harsh treatment; but she 
saw them every where liable to cruel separa- 
tions, the majority sunk in ignorance and sin, 
and as she often and feelingly said, "with no 
one to care for their souls." Her great heart 
contemplated the ultimate freedom of the 
whole race, and wrestled in prayer for their 
eternal emancipation from the wrath to come. 
In the mean time, she was deeply sensible of 
the guilt which rested upon the community, as 
to failure in individual present duty, and looked 
forward with sorrow at the prospect of be- 
holding at the judgment-day the re-enactment 
of the awful scene detailed in the parable of 
the rich man and Lazarus. 

But what could be done at all answerable to 
the necessities of such a case? The sensibilities 
of the community had not then been awakened. 
Colonization was unheard of. All was dark- 
ness and apathy. What could be effected by 
a comparatively obscure female? The records 
of eternity may tell in this case, as in many 
others, the power of prayer. In that exercise 9 
she spent hours, of which the world knew 



38 MEMOIR OF 

nothing. For years, the condition of the peo- 
ple of colour was the theme of her supplica- 
tions by day and by night. The following allu- 
sion is made to her in the "Life of Ashmun," 
embracing also a relative, and companion in 
the same work, still living in the District of 
Columbia. 

st Nor ought we to forget, that long before 
the formation of the Colonization Society, 
there were generous souls in Virginia, touched 
with a tender and affecting charity toward the 
people of colour, whose daily and nightly 
thoughts were fixed on their dark condition, 
and who in grief and prayer sought to teach 
comfort, and save those of them w T ho dwelt 
within the limits of their influence, devoutly 
supplicating that the power which had touched 
their hearts, would touch others, until the na- 
tion should rise in its strength, for the redemp- 
tion of that race. In a future world, the fact 
may stand revealed, that from the sacred re- 
tirement of a few devout ladies in Virginia, 
who at the Saviour's feet had learned better 
lessons than this world's philosophy can teach, 
emanated a zeal and charity in behalf of the 
afflicted Africans, which has widely spread, 
and inspired ministers and statesmen with an 
almost divine eloquence in their cause." 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 39 

The following paper, written in 1823, may 
serve to show that Mr. Gurley had not mis- 
taken her character. 

"By a chain of providences, some persons 
are evidently pointed to a particular course of 
duty in the Lord's vineyard. I know this to 
be my case. I beheld my country blind to the 
awful responsibilities connected with slavery, 
-^-infatuated by long habits of neglect of the 
souls of slaves. This showed me the great dif- 
ficulty of doing all that should be done for 
them in their present state. For years I car- 
ried their cause in my secret soul, fearful of 
disclosing my thoughts to any but God, and to 
two or three like-minded w 7 ith myself. Little 
did I suppose that such a prospect as that now 
opening, was so soon to relieve my burdened 
heart. But now I see how it is. God's time 
for beginning this work was approaching; and 
he placed these fervent desires in the hearts of 
some who had for a time no communication 
with one another; which seems an indication 
of its being a work of God. I feel that I am 
called to train servants for him. My bosom 
beats high with ardent anxiety for their ever- 
lasting good. * * * But for his grace, I 
should have had no such work on hand for 



40 MEMOIR OF 

them. And now, but for his grace, I should 
be one of those \ self-righteous.' But my Lord 
has placed me in such a station of outward 
trial, as makes me feel that I have to look to 
Christ for every thing." 

In the year 1815, she heard of the sugges- 
tions of Samuel Mills, and subsequent!}^ of the 
journey of the Rev. Dr. Finley to Washing- 
ton, which resulted in the formation of the 
American Colonization Society, in the early 
part of the next year. Her faith immediately 
seized upon it as the work of God. In the 
first news from Washington, she saw what she 
compared to a glimmering light, like the light 
of a taper at a great distance in the dark, 

But those peculiar feelings of distress, like 
the horror of great darkness which fell upon 
Abraham, were experienced no more. A dark 
night had been succeeded by a bright morn- 
ing, A channel of hope was opened, an object 
presented, around which kindred hearts could 
cluster, and in the promotion of which, all who 
felt for the coloured race could enjoy the 
luxury of working. She at once rendered 
efficient aid to the infant enterprise, by funds 
given and procured by conversation, by corres- 
pondence with a large circle of friends, and 



MRS. ANNE R, PAGE. 41 

the circulation of the interesting information 
upon the subject then first brought out. Her 
brother, then a young minister, made a tour 
through all the states upon the Atlantic, and 
was instrumental in awakening a deep interest 
in behalf of the negro race. 



42 MEMOIR OF 

CHAPTER II. 

EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES, AND COLONIZATION. 

The last Chapter brought the biography of 
Mrs. Page to the year 1817. From this period^ 
for nine years she was engaged in a series of 
happy and successful labours for African colo- 
nization, during which time she had also ef- 
fected no inconsiderable changes for the better 
among the many slaves under her own eye. 
Meanwhile, the divine life in her soul bad been 
in a state of constant and rapid progression, so 
that by her conversation and example all took 
knowledge of her that she lived for eternity. 

But severer trials awaited her. In the year 
1826, she sustained the loss of her husband, a 
gentleman who, though he had not entered 
fully into her views with regard to the pre- 
paration of slaves for colonization, had been a 
kind and indulgent husband, and had afforded 
her many opportunities for doing what she 
conceived to be her duty. 

It is not necessary to dwell upon what she 
suffered under this bereavement, as it was not 
distinguished from other cases of a similar 
kind. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 43 

The following papers were written sometime 
sifter this event. 

" Heavenly Father, thou art my protector, 
safeguard and trust, when the night closes in 
and all is darkness around us, a helpless female 
band. Once my dear husband was my trust, 
and I felt as if I could never live in the unpro- 
tected state which 1 and my children would be 
left in, if our visible protector were called from 
us. 

"But I found a sudden and unexpected re- 
pose given to my spirit, a faith and trust which 
I was so sensible came from heaven, that I was 
able to repose in peace without a doubt, on thy 
power as overruling all things. Thus have I, 
who never deserved the least favour, been 
favoured. 

" Thy mercies to me are past the power of 
numbers, speech, or thought. The silence of 
midnight is present. My children repose in 
quiet in their beds. Thy watchful care sur- 
rounds us — all is peace— while thy goodness 
wakes my spirit to praise and glorify thy great 
name. My soul w r ait thou only upon God." 

Speaking of her plans for conducting the 
estate after her husband's death, she says: — 



44 MEMOIR OF 

" My purposes respecting these people, I hold 
to be so sacred, that I desire not, and even fear 
to counsel with my dearest and wisest friends, 
because they would all advise me to relieve 
myself from this bondage in w T hich I outwardly 
live, and which, in their kindness for me, they 
have thought would ere now have ended my 
days. But by faith thou hast borne me through 
scenes of trial both of body and mind, the 
prospect of which I might well have shrunk 
from. Thus preserved 1 come to THEE, and 
look up through the blood of the Covenant for 
direction in all the affairs of this estate. And 
with regard to the frequent failures of some of 
these people in duty, let me not be put off by 
these things, from my settled purpose of doing 
them good. How to get them to perform their 
needful part, although they know it is for their 
own sakes that I wish it. Oh, enlighten their 
ignorance, subdue their opposing wills, and 
soften their hard hearts. Give wisdom to see 
the right course to pursue, with all such as are 
thus tempted." 

" My God, I bless thy holy name for en- 
abling me to go through many trying circum- 
stances in my pilgrimage, in firmer faith than 



MRS, ANNE R. PAGE. 45 

I have before been supported by. When trials 
arise, instead of, looking at them and my own 
inability to do my duty under them, 1 am 
sweetly influenced to look to the hills from 
whence my help cometh. I could, indeed, 
always repeat those portions of the Psalms 
which apply in such cases, and sometimes 
realize them, but now I find them more sub- 
stantially placed under me to keep my faith, 
which is God's gift, in strong exercise. Bless- 
ed be my God, as I approach nearer the end 
of my time, I see eternity to be very glorious. 
Oh, to be employed in exploring the w r onders 
of universal creation, and the greater wonders 
of Redemption. &#.#*# 

I still find my spirit within me, prone to 
plan more than to pray, although I know how 
unprofitable and how unsafe it is; and although 
I find such sweet confidence in praying and 
trusting to thee to plan for me, and to keep 
me waiting on thee continually, watching the 
leadings of thy providence." 

So was the finger of God manifested in pre- 
paring her for a season of trial which was at 
hand, perhaps the greatest which she ever ex- 
perienced. 

It became necessary to pay a large debt 
5* 



46 MEMOIR OF 

which rested upon the estate, a considerable 
portion of which, had been contracted in the 
maintenance of slaves. In such cases, the laws 
of the commonwealth enforce the sale of per- 
sonal property, and by the same laws, slaves 
are of that denomination. 

She looked every way for an alternative; 
but there was none. It was certain that the 
officers of the law would pursue the prescribed 
course, and the sale of some of them became 
inevitable. Her hands of love were effectually 
tied, but not her heart. The principal wish of 
the negros in cases of sales at that time, was 
to avoid being sent to the South, and this she 
feared might be the lot of some of them. 

The day of sale arrived. A number of slave 
traders were present to bid. In the noise and 
crowds of men at such places, the preferences or 
benevolent views of a female are not likely to 
be much regarded. From a scene which she 
could neither prevent or control, she retired to 
her private chamber, where she bore in agony 
to the throne of grace, the unheeded petitions 
of those whom she loved, and whom she ex- 
pected to meet at the bar of God. And if it 
be lawful to apply words written of Christ, to 
one to whom it was given to suffer for his 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 47 

sake — with strong crying and tears to him 
who was able to save, she was heard in that 
she feared. 

Of more than a hundred sold, not one fell 
into the hands of the slave dealers, or was far 
removed from his former home. The world 
will call this accident or chance — she ever 
held it as a special providence, and often 
spoke of it until the day of her death, as 
among her greatest mercies. 

A large number still remained, either her 
own or belonging to those under her influence. 
To them she gave herself in a manner which 
she was never able to do to the whole number. 
They were all assembled every morning a 
little after the dawn of day, for the reading of 
the Bible and prayer. For this service she 
employed the ministers who frequently visited 
at her house, or other pious gentlemen; but in 
the absence of such, did not hesitate to ex- 
pound the scriptures and offer prayer. The 
exercises conducted by herself were probably 
as well calculated to benefit the slaves as any 
which they ever enjoyed. Her manner was 
to read over a number of times, before prayer, 
a solemn and instructive passage of scripture, 
and add some brief remarks in the way of 



48 MEMOIR OF 

illustration and application. Her remarks upon 
scripture were very original and striking. 

She now began to make every arrangement 
to hasten the period of their emancipation. 
But many difficulties remained, owing to the 
still embarrassed condition of the estate and 
the perverse temper of some of the slaves, who 
were unwilling to exert themselves even for 
their own good. This will explain the fol- 
lowing extracts from her writings, in which 
her temper and spirit are strikingly displayed. 

" When will it be safe to trust me with the 
power of using the mammon of unrighteous- 
ness in doing services of love to the bodies 
and souls of thy creatures? When shall I be 
so far delivered from self- righteousness as to 
be a fit instrument to perform those services 
which for so many years it has been my grief 
that I had no power to perform. 

" Ah thou hast seen that I should have gone 
to work in my own strength, and long ere 
this have given over through faintness and the 
discouragements which arise from the per- 
verseness and ungrateful behaviour of those 
whom I desired to serve. 

"But thou didst foreknow these things and 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 49 

thy preventing grace has controlled me, and 
in spite of my restlessness to be doing, has 
held me in, till, being much curbed and broken, 
thou art at length in some small degree, (doubt- 
less as far as I can be trusted with safety to 
myself,) showing me some labours of love to 
engage in. It is a subject for wonder and 
astonishment that one so self-willed, so un- 
watchful and weak in faith, should be em- 
ployed by thee at all." 

" Look upon those of my fellow-creatures 
in servitude in my family, who this day have 
given way to the temptation of their situation 
in murmuring and rebellious language toward 
me. Thou canst enlighten them and show 
them the error of their way. Thou canst 
convince them of sin, and subdue their spirits 
to bear with patience the trial of being under 
the guidance of one, who only from necessity 
as they well know, is enduring, and that for 
their sakes, the task of urging them to such 
duties, as will lead to their temporal and eter- 
nal freedom. 

" Often hast thou given me to see, and grate- 
fully to acknowledge a change of feeling and 
demeanour in those for whom I have espe- 



50 MEMOIR OF 

cially applied to thee that their minds might 
be enlightened and their hearts softened, Let 
me never have to apply to human authority to 
restrain them, but pray, and hope, and watch, 
and wait for answers to prayer: and should I 
be permitted to see the happy change, deliver 
me from the temptation which may assail me 
that my wisdom or goodness has effected this. 
In every mercy make me feel that I am 
nothing, and that Christ is all." 

" If it be not thy blessed will to grant me 
the privilege of seeing this work accomplished 
in my hands, make me willing even for this, 
and never let me faint nor tire in labouring 
for it, even though all things should seem 
against it. Still let me give that faithful and 
true attention to these souls of thine, that I 
would do were the whole success unfolded to 
my view, and sure. For, oh Lord, hast thou 
not given me from the first, yea, before com- 
munication from heart to heart had fanned 
this holy work into visible flame, to bear this 
burden, and to stir up my soul to redress the 
injuries of this depressed people. If in tender 
mercy, to humble me for my many transgres- 
sions, I am not permitted to do what I desire, 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 51 

Lord, fulfil thy gracious promises in thine 
own way: what am I that I should despond? 

"As David prepared materials for Solomon 
his son to build a house to thy name, and as 
he said, 'behold in my trouble I have pre- 
pared for the house of the Lord/ so let thine 
handmaid, Lord, prepare this family to 
become a house to thy name in the land of 
their forefathers, and do thou put into the 
souls of my children thy fear, that they may 
build them up as a sanctuary to thy glory, that 
they may go and possess the good land, and 
leave it for an inheritance to their children 
after them throughout all generations. Teach 
my children to do this great work with a per- 
fect heart and with a willing mind. Let them 
not forsake thee, lest thou cast them off for 
ever. Enable me to say to them when I am 
about to depart — as David to Solomon his son 
— 'Be strong and of good courage and do it. 
Fear not, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God 
even my God will be with you — He will not 
fail you nor forsake you — Blessed be thou 
Lord God for ever and ever/ And, Lord, 
keep this in the imagination of the thoughts 
of the heart of this people, and prepare their 
heart unto thee, and give unto my children a 



52 MEMOIR OF 

perfect heart to do all this thing, for the which 
I have made provision/' 

The following was prepared in extreme 
bodily weakness, with the intention, as it ap- 
peared, of having it read to such, as at the 
time, she did not expect to live to see eman- 
cipated. 

"As yet, God has only given the Bible to 
a portion of the world, but it is fast spreading 
among all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, 
and the glorious day will soon arrive, when 
the whole human race shall know the Lord 
Jesus Christ as their only Redeemer — when 
his name will be sung from the hills and val- 
leys, and every sound from every voice tell 
of the goodness of the Lord. 

"The Bible which foretells this, commands 
all <to do unto others as they would that 
others should do unto them.' This has made 
me see that slavery is not a state wherein we 
can obey the law of love, and blessed be God, 
many others see it as well as myself. 

" Your settlement in the land from which 
your fathers were brought, has been a plan 
cherished almost as my life, that you might 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 53 

not remain in a land where Providence as yet^ 
has opened no way for you to enjoy equal 
rights, were you nominally free, where free- 
dom is only a name. If you knew all that I 
have endured to preserve justice and comfort 
among you in all things that lay in my power,, 
you would have wept for me; But the gracious 
Lord supported me, and enabled me to go on 
in my labours for you thus far; and now 1 go 
the way of all flesh— but the cares I have had 
for you, I wish to leave impressed upon your 
souls and the souls of my children, that they 
may be co-workers with God in colonizing 
you in that land where great blessings await 
you and your posterity. 

"You have sometimes, perhaps, thought me 
a strict or a harsh ruler, but when you meet 
me before God you will see that I did all in 
love, and that this strictness was intended to 
lead you to God, as I knew that unless you 
became holy, you never could be happy. Such 
crosses I have been led through by Almighty 
power; for whenever I had to cross you, I had 
my full share of that cross, having had a ten- 
derness for your condition put into my heart 
many, many years ago, and knowing also that 
6 



54 MEMOIR OF 

I dared not willingly wound one of God's 
creatures in any way. 

" The law of the land would not allow you 
to be free while the former debts of the estate 
remained unpaid, otherwise I should have sent 
you to Africa as soon as I had the charge of 
you, for it has been my chief desire to see you 
in a place where you could be prosperous and 
happy. The whole earth will soon be filled 
with the knowledge of the Lord; your coun- 
try too will be — among the rest — full of peo- 
ple fearing God and working righteousness. 
Refuse not to go when the time for you to be 
given up shall arrive. You will, I doubt not, 
find it the place designed for you by a merci- 
ful Providence." 

The laws of the commonwealth not allowing, 
emancipated slaves to remain in the state, to- 
gether with what she had heard of their con- 
dition in the free states, left her in no doubt 
as to the place where she should send her own. 
In fact, her judgment would have been the 
same had there been no obstacles to their re- 
maining among the slaves. The colony of 
Liberia had by this time made some progress. 
This enterprise she had regarded from its very 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 55 

dawn as the work of God, and as intended in 
his providence to subserve the most important 
interests of the whole coloured race: and she 
had now the prospect of being able to patronize 
it in a way more to her mind, although through 
this and a variety of other means she had pre- 
viously done more, probably, than any other 
person in Virginia to create a benevolent in- 
terest in behalf of the coloured people. 

In an extensive tour through the state in the 
year 1836, the writer heard the remark from 
many persons, that they had never felt any 
particular interest in the condition of slaves, 
or had their conscience awakened respecting 
them, until they heard of the efforts of Mrs. 
Page. 

With a degree of pleasure which none but a 
benevolent heart can comprehend, she now 
begun afresh to prepare her slaves for a better 
home in Africa, than she could give them else- 
where; determining to do her own work with 
her own hands, and not by testamentary ar- 
rangements, she would see and know that it 
was done according to her mind.* 

* The wisdom of this course is strikingly exhibited in 
contrast with that of the late John Randolph. There is 
a general agreement among disinterested persons that if 
there was any one thing which he more constantly in- 



56 MEMOIR OF 

She deemed it important to prepare their 
minds by a series of instructions for the great 
change which they were to undergo in pass- 
ing from the condition of slaves to that of 
freemen. And especially she did not conceal 
from them the hardships they would probably 
have to encounter in a new settlement, while 
at the same time she encouraged them with 
the prospect of ultimate advantage to them- 
selves and especially to their children. 

When the time appointed for their depar- 
ture arrived, they were all willing and desirous 
of going, having been faithfully and fully in- 
tended than another, and especially when he died, it was 
that his slaves should be emancipated. Their history 
since, is very well known, This is but one of a great 
number of instances in which testamentary benevolence 
has been defeated: and shows the inexpediency of per- 
sons leaving that to others, which, if they wish to have 
done, they should do themselves. In cases of bequests 
to benevolent institutions, heirs will usually prevent the 
payment if they can, and if they cannot, are not unfre- 
quently made enemies to such institutions. 

Considering the litigation, and the unfriendly influence 
which it is sure to produce, it may be doubted whether 
the cause of benevolence has not lost as much as it has 
gained by wills. In cases where the wishes of heirs turn 
out to be different from those of the testator, it is of 
doubtful expediency to enter into litigation to recover 
bequests. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 57 

structed upon the subject, by one of whose 
disinterested regard for their good, they had 
had so many proofs. 

She sent them at three different times; the 
first, company in the year 1832, with every 
necessary supply for twelve months, and a 
sufficiency of many articles for two or three 
years. The mechanics and others were fur- 
nished with the necessary implements for 
their different occupations.* On the morning 
of the day they left, she assembled them in 
the family mansion, where religious services 
were held, suitable to the occasion. She then 
accompanied them eight miles on their way 
toward the place of embarkation, seeing them 
safely over a river at that distance, taking the 
children in her carriage, and appearing to take 
a peculiar pleasure in the last offices of kind- 
ness which she would have an opportunity of 
doing for them. Upon the opposite shore of 
the river there was a solemn and affectionate 
parting. They all arrived safely in Liberia, 
and it was a subject of thankfulness, that while 
many had died in the colony, all of those 

* A supply of iron was purchased for a blacksmith from 
Mr. Phineas Janney, of Alexandria, who, after he ascer- 
tained the purpose for which it was intended, generously 
insisted upon refunding the money. 



58 MEMOIR OF 

which she sent continued in good health, with 
the exception of one who died of a disease 
which probably would have proved fatal at an 
earlier period at home. Their preservation 
was probably owing to the abundant provision 
made for their wants, during the period of 
acclimation. When the next company left, 
Mrs. Page engaged a friend who took much 
interest in the accomplishment of her plans, to 
accompany them to the port from which they 
were to sail, distant three hundred miles. He 
attended to the laying in of their stores, and 
superintended their embarkation, when, after 
divine service on board the ship — the anchor 
weighed — the last link which bound them to 
the land of their captivity sundered — and the 
white sail unfurled — they set forth with many 
tokens of gratification and thankfulness, toward 
their father-land. As the ship gradually re- 
ceded from view in a serene and beautiful 
summer's afternoon, many events of solemn 
interest were recalled. Two hundred and 
fourteen years had elapsed since the first slave 
set his foot upon the soil of Virginia. The 
mystery of that providence under which they 
came, is not yet finished. But upon that dark 
and heavy cloud which hitherto has hung over 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 50 

it, lighter shades are beginning to appear. 
They came to toil—to toil for others and not 
for themselves — many of them to hardships 
and suffering. But they came from a barba- 
rous to an enlightened country — from a pagan 
to a Christian land — from a country where 
even negro degradation and suffering is greater, 
to one where it is less. They have increased 
to millions; and dark and undesirable as their 
condition is, it is enviable in comparison with 
that of any similar number of the same race 
upon the globe. All are civilized — many are 
Christianized, and not a few have risen to cul- 
tivation and intelligence. 

The Christianity which they met with in 
the abode of their slavery is silently working 
their emancipation. That divine principle 
which is gradually preparing them for the 
•enjoyment of rational liberty, is not less cer- 
tainly opening the way for them to receive it. 
The first fruits are visible. The fathers came 
with chains of iron upon their arms, and the 
stronger chains of darkness and idolatry upon 
their hearts: the children are returning with 
Bibles in their hands and their souls made 
free by the truth. Thus in the wonderful 
economy of providence, the darkest deeds of 



CO MEMOIR OF 

man are turned to good. "0 the depth of the 
riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of 
God, how unsearchable are his judgments and 
his ways past finding out." 

The work of Christianizing those in the 
darkness and deeper slavery of the mother 
country, is seriously contemplated. The eyes 
of every missionary organization in Europe 
and America, are turned toward Africa. For 
her, the charities of Christendom are being 
stirred to their foundation; deep calleth unto 
deep, and nation vies with nation, in schemes 
to do her good. 

The emigrants, after a short voyage, joined 
their friends in the colony, and were equally 
favoured in the preservation of their lives and 
health. Their letters of gratitude she often 
received, and had the pleasure of knowing be- 
fore her death, that some of them had become 
members of churches in Liberia, that their 
children w T ere in the course of being educated, 
and that for the most part they were prosper- 
ing in their worldly affairs. 

With regard to the course which she should 
pursue in the emancipation of her own slaves, 
she never had any doubt, although she never 
attempted to decide that colonization was the 
only mode in which this work was to be pur- 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 61 

sued. She was watchful as to all means by 
which the good of the slave might be effected 
consistently with Christian love, and the real 
good of all the parties. 

Though of a quick and strong mind, she 
was less given to speculation, than to toils and 
self-denying duties in the accomplishment of 
good, through channels already opened by 
Providence, and deeply was she grieved at the 
controversies and unchristian quarrels of those 
who were sincerely aiming at the same thing. 
From a careful study of all the evidence per- 
taining to the Colony of Liberia she never 
entertained any doubt of its ultimate success, 
although she was not ignorant of the many 
difficulties to be encountered in so great an un- 
dertaking. As the residence of persons who 
had emigrated almost entirely destitute of 
means, it was not to be expected that it would 
suddenly assume the appearance of wealth and 
refinement, and as the residence of sinners it 
was not to be expected that no wrong doings 
should be found there. She had, however, at 
the time of her death, the unspeakable com- 
fort of believing on good grounds that she was 
leaving those who had been her slaves, in the 
best ordered community of negroes in the 



6*2 MEMOIR OF 

world- — in the enjoyment of perfect freedom 
— under the benign influence of schools, print- 
ing presses, and the institutions of Christianity 
—-a community also to a remarkable degree 
under the power of experimental religion. 

In view of the situation in which she had 
placed them, when compared with that which 
they left, may well be conceived the joy which 
•she felt in receiving from Liberia such testi- 
monies as the following: — "The faith of the 
everlasting gospel, with an evidence and 
strength which nothing short of the power of 
the Almighty could produce, has become the 
rule of life, the animating spring of action, and 
the source of immortal hope, to a large num- 
ber of these people. Often have I seen tears 
silently flowing in the house of God under the 
searching influence of his word. Nay, I have 
seen the proudest and profanest foreigners that 
ever visited the colony, struck with convic- 
tion under the gospel here preached by the 
negro upon a spot which but yesterday was 
the abode of barbarism and piracy. " 

We have in the preceding narrative a brief 
account of Mrs. Page's efforts for the benefit 
of the people of colour. Some other points 
of her character, and incidents in her life re- 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 63 

main to be considered, which will be found 
of equal interest. The following papers will 
conclude this chapter. The writer has no where 
seen more solemn and instructive exhibitions 
of Christian experience. 

" My Father in heaven, when I come be- 
fore thee to tell thee all my state, I have not 
to think first, and regulate my expressions as- 
I go on, in the manner I have to do to an 
earthly friend. How blessed to say and feel, 
Father thou knowest better than I can tell 
thee, all that I come to lay before thee — all my 
shortcomings — all my transgressions — all my 
trials in dear friends and fellow sinners. At 
this time, Oh Lord, am I in manifold perplex- 
ities, because of sore infirmities. One deep 
calleth to another; all thy waves and storms 
have gone over me — and yet <I know the 
Lord can save/ and in this I have been kept 
as in a covert from the storm. Now, my 
God, would I come to thee anew, to present 
all this troubled scene — each spirit concerned! 
Oh my Father, calm, control, and guide us.. 

' Why oh my soul, why thus depress'd, 

And why this anxious care? 
Let former favours fix thy trust, 
And calm the rising tear. 



64 MEMOIR OF 

When darkness and when dangers rose, 

And pressed on every side, 
Did not the Lord thy steps attend? 

And was not he thy guide? 

Affliction is a stormy deep, 

Where wave resounds to wave; 

Though o'er my head the billows sweep, 
I know the Lord can save. 

In the dark watches of the night, 

I'll count his mercies o'er; 
I'll praise him for ten thousand past, 

And ask him still for more. 

Here will I rest and build my hopes, 

Nor murmur at his word; 
He's more than all the world to me, 

My Saviour and my God.' 

"If on a journey, in company with a dear 
friend, should we not be continually forgetting 
the roughness and difficulties of the way, by 
looking on the countenance of this friend, 
and holding converse on themes of holy inte- 
rest? Why then shall we not be soothed and 
encouraged over the rugged way of life by 
looking on the countenance of our Heavenly 
Father? Has he not lifted the obscuring veil 
which sin placed between us and his counte- 
nance? Why then do we so foolishly toil on, 
carrying alone every burden, every sin and 
sorrow which ourselves and others provide us 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 65 

with, and which make our days like the 
troubled sea? Is not our Saviour our ever- 
present friend in this journey, and he the 
mighty God?" 

May, 1811. 

u Bodily indisposition, so extreme that I am 
incapable of action without severe pain, and so 
weak that my spirits are in danger of giving 
way. Shall this be? Shall my spirits sink 
while I can raise a thought to heaven? Saviour! 
to thee I look, who hast been the Author, and 
in whom I trust to be the finisher of my faith. 
Thy love to me passeth all understanding! If 
I have no other comfort while I have this, my 
soul must rejoice — Thou wilt never fail me!" 

"That I am a weak creature, is no fault in 
me — that trials arise, and perplex and war 
upon my peace, I cannot, while in human 
society, and possessed of my human nature, 
avoid. But my fault is this, that I do not 
avail myself of the aid which the Almighty 
has provided, equal to all my wants." 

"My Father, look upon me in this intricate 
dark case. Lift up the light of thy counte- 

7 



68 MEMOIR OF 

nance upon me. Thou seest all the trial be- 
fore me : no earthly friend can look into some 
parts of it; and I come to lean my weary 
spirit upon thy bosom of more than maternal 
tenderness. I come for strength in my weak- 
ness, for wisdom to take the place of my fool- 
ishness. Show me how to honour thee in the 
presence of the dear fellow-sinners with whom 
I have to do in this trial." 

" Blessed be thy name, my God, for the 
exercises of soul toward Thee, which so 
strengthened my weak endeavours after ho- 
liness of heart and life. Continue thy Holy 
Spirit to me, and give a deep feeling of my un- 
worthiness, and a strong hold by faith on thy 
Almighty power. Awaken daily in my soul a 
remembrance of thy dealings with me when 
late sickness brought me near to death. Thy 
love kept the sacrifice of thy Son ever sup- 
porting me> when otherwise my spirit would 
have sunk within me, in consciousness of my 
imperfect preparation to appear at thy judg- 
ment-seat. Did not pardoning love ever lead 
my thoughts to the foot of the cross? Did 
not I feel the safety provided for me there? 
although all-polluted even in my best attempts 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 67 

io serve my God? Didst not thou give me to 
be willing to live or die, or languish in sick- 
ness — to resign my whole will to thine? And 
where this mercy was found in hours of ex- 
tremity, there is mercy now to make me holy 
and devoted." 

The two following papers manifest an at- 
tainment in Christian experience no't only rare, 
but difficult to be conceived by those who have 
not — with large measures of divine grace- 
been deeply exercised in the same way. We 
might even look upon it as the result of en- 
thusiasm, in one who had not for a series of 
years manifested an analagous conformity to 
the divine will — a confidence in God like that 
which characterizes the inhabitants of heaven. 

a Father when it is thy will to afflict my 
children with dangerous illness, then a sense 
of thy love increases in my soul. Thou hast 
been so merciful as to break down self-will in 
this particular, so that — all thanks to thee — I 
behold with equal eye, life or death, so that all 
thy will be accomplished. I see death hover- 
ipg over the delight of my eyes, yet it seems 
not death, but my Father doing his righteous 



68 MEMOIR OF 

loving will in my babes — perhaps about to call 
them above, out of my sight; but the feeling 
of his will being done, is such, that 1 have not 
an objecting thought. Oh! how have my 
highest, my most exquisite joys been in the 
acute exercises of soul, mercifully sent in sea- 
sons so appalling to nature, but so elevating, 
so endearing under grace." 

On another occasion, her daughter, with a 
sister who had the charge of her, were return- 
ing in a carriage through an extensive wood 5 
a wind suddenly arose so violent as to pros- 
trate trees. Of this circumstance she wrote 
the next day as follows: after recording her 
exercises in the earlier part of the storm. 

"Those around me watched to see me ma- 
nifest alarm — and my uncommon natural timi- 
dity would have made me evince more than 
even the case called for. — And didst thou 
make me willing to have my child and sister 
crushed? Thou didst! I must, I feel com- 
pelled to record it, to the praise of thy great 
name. 

" Oh ! to soar in faith above the storms of 
temptation which beat upon me under daily 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 69 

trial, as thou didst then enable me to do in the 
war of nature's elements/' 

a Oh! for a sense of pardon for all I have 
ever done, or spoken, or thought amiss, and a 
trust in Thee, that no cflie will thereby be in- 
jured in any way. for good to be brought 
out of my evil — that misconstructions in the 
minds of any, of aught that I have done or 
said, may be removed. In many things I may 
have offended. Do thou soothe and pour oil 
on any troubled heart, and continue to me a 
tender interest in the welfare of others, which 
may have led me to words and deeds which 
have been stumbling-blocks in the way of 
some, and teach me to pray more for my 
friends, when I feel anxious concerning them, 
and talk less." 

"Am I in bonds of Christian love with 
every one? if I cannot clear up all my doings 
to the satisfaction of some, am I yet watching 
and praying that my spirit bears them nothing 
but tender love? If I cannot give up my judg- 
ment and act as some near and dear to me de- 
sire, am I maintaining my grounds in as gentle 
though firm a manner, as I should do? looking 



70 MEMOIR OF 

to Thee to give them light, or if J am in error 
to enlighten me." 

"This is my grief — I do not bear to myself 
or others, the lineaments of my Father's face 
divine. 0! that I could be like him — that I 
could feel the assimilation increasing in my 
thoughts, words, and actions. send out thy 
light and thy truth." 

" I am as poor and helpless a beggar, and 
need as much thy help now as I did when first 
all dismayed and horror-struck at sight of my 
own inability, I began to feel the necessity of 
grace for every moment. It is not my grief 
that I cannot get on, but in view of thy grace, 
but that I do not look for that grace as dili- 
gently as a case likejnine requires; for I find 
this pilgrimage of life, a rough and dangerous 
road. Enemies are very numerous as I pro- 
ceed — very powerful too. The devil like a 
roaring lion goeth about, yea, around — about — 
and within my soul. But, Father, art thou not 
greater than he? and shall I fear? Yes, I have 
a deliverer, and my rescue is sure!" 

The following was written under circum- 
stances of perplexity and trial, in the discharge 
of duty. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 71 

"0 God! my Maker, unseen, yet ever pre- 
sent, didst thou make thy poor creature to be 
thus tossed by cruel waves! Lord, it seemeth 
so, when blown about as I am, by so many 
bleak winds — no comfort — no relief. How 
long, Lord, am I to be the subject of con- 
tending opinions — 'tis only thus for a season. 
Thy love gave me being — the blood of thy 
Son was shed for me, and has redeemed that 
being from endless misery. Wilt thou not 
then uphold me now, when trouble oppresses 
me and seems to obscure thy mercy from my 
view. Sun of Righteousness arise,shine through 
these dark clouds, and establish me in faith. 
Calm my spirit and set me upon the Rock. 

"E'en be content with God. Yes, well may 
I be content with God. Is not he full of power, 
wisdom and love? Are not all things in his 
gracious hand? I am content with God, and 
desire nothing but to look to him, enthroned 
above, yet pervading the whole spiritual and 
material creation of which my soul and body 
form a part. faithful Creator, anxious 
thought is lost in the expanse of glory which 
I see high and far and wide, above and around 
me." 



72 MEMOIR OF 



CHAPTER III. 

FAITH. 

It has been well said that religion has often 
proved the occasion of suffering though not the 
cause. This is often illustrated in the expe- 
rience of Christian parents. In proportion to 
the value which they put upon religion will be 
their distress, that a child should be without it. 

Mrs. Page had two daughters, one of whom 
upon arriving at years of responsibility seemed 
disposed to a worldly course of life, and even 
the affection of a mother could entertain no 
hope of her being in a state of salvation. And 
the way of her being the instrument of good 
to the object of her pious affection seemed, in 
Providence to be strangely shut up. Shortly 
after this daughter's return from school, she 
married, was removed from under the parental 
roof, and from most of the means likely to 
result in her salvation. But the faith of the 
parent failed not under any discouragement. 
Prayer was not more continually offered for 
Peter in prison than for this child in the 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 73 

stronger prisons of sin and unbelief: and al- 
though for three or four years, there was no 
visible ground of hope, the conviction was 
often expressed that God, whose ways are not 
as our ways, would interpose. And the event 
so proved, although in a way which subjected 
the faith of the parent to a trial almost as se- 
vere as that of Abraham. 

In this case, as in many others, God made 
affliction the messenger of his love to this 
child. Its good effects, however, were not 
made known to any except by a change of 
outward demeanour. 

Supposing herself threatened w T ith a fatal 
disease, though apparently in her usual health, 
she undertook a journey to a northern city to 
consult physicians. From an accident which 
happened upon the rail- way, she was under 
the necessity of taking a long walk, which 
occasioned the rupture of a blood vessel in 
the lungs, of which, after a few days she died 
at an inn. 

Mrs. Page being informed of her daughter's 
illness hastened to see her, but after proceeding 
a few hours' journey met her corpse. At that 
moment when faith seemed almost presump- 
tion, she said that she felt quite composed, 



74 MEMOIR OF 

and surveying the features, yet fresh, of her 
whom she had so loved, expressed the peaceful 
assurance that it was " well with the child;" 
and in that hope without farther information 
committed her body to the ground. 

" Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose 
mind is stayed on thee." 

But what was her joy at finding in the jour- 
nal of her daughter, extending through a period 
of more than a year and within a day or two 
of her death, the most satisfactory evidence 
that she had truly turned to God. These her 
religious experiences, though of a decided cha- 
racter, she had not made known to any one. 
Yet they exhibited what must be considered 
as among the best evidences of the existence 
of real religion in the soul. There was an 
apprehension of the true character of sin, a 
thorough confession of it, and mourning on 
account of its intrinsically evil nature, as com- 
mitted against God, and an absolute despair of 
forgiveness except through the merits of Christ 
only. The scriptures were her constant study, 
and her religious exercises were more and more 
expressed in scripture language. 

It was scarcely possible to believe that such 
exercises could be other, than those of a soul 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 75 

taught of God, especially when taken in con- 
nexion with a thoroughly altered course of 
life. 

And although at the time of her death, she 
did not express any decided hope of her ac- 
ceptance, the parent judged correctly that the 
evidences which she left, were more satisfac- 
tory when viewed in the light of scripture, 
than any joys, or triumphant hopes expressed 
in dying moments, and so she rested in the 
fulfilment of all the promises of God, to her, 
and doubted not that her daughter had through 
much tribulation entered the kingdom of God. 

The following papers are but a specimen of 
those which relate to her daughter's case. 
They cannot be without deep interest to Chris- 
tian parents. 

" My Father, I have put this cause into thy 
hands day by day, and feel that it is safe. All 
must go well that is committed to thee. It is 
not from any wisdom in me that I have done 
this, but in obedience to thy revealed word. 
A sacrifice has been made that I might have 
access to God as to a tender parent. God, 
my child is safe, though yet in the bonds of 
Satan, for she has been brought to the foot of 



76 MEMOIR OF 

the cross, where I look up and put my God in 
remembrance of his promise to heal such by 
the blood of his Son. Look upon me, Lord, 
according to the covenant." 

" Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, 
whose mind is stayed on thee. When my child 
was afflicted with most painful and dangerous 
sickness, 1 felt her every suffering as dispensed 
to me. I could not commit the care of her to 
any other, during the days and nights, and even 
years, in which her pains were extreme. Life 
would sometimes sink within me, as if to rise 
no more, yet my breath was continued, and 
the Lord so sustained me that I was kept in 
perfect peace. Though borne down so as to 
say with David, "All thy waves and storms 
are gone over me," }<et with him did I say, 
Why art thou so full of heaviness, Oh my 
soul, and why art thou disquieted within me. 
Oh, put thy trust in God, for I will yet thank 
him who is the help of my countenance, and 
my God. 

" But how is it now with this child? I look 
across the fields to her dwelling, where she re- 
sides in perfect health of body, but her soul 
not turned to thee. But I am supported still ^ 
I am filled with hope. Faith triumphs." 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 77 

Ui A certain nobleman whose son was sick — 
at the point of death, — besought Jesus/ — 
< Come down, ere my child die;' — the no- 
bleman believed; < the servants met him;' 
— < thy son liveth.' Could I now receive so 
great a gift, 6 not for my righteousness,' but 
8 for thy great mercy, Lord V 

"The soul of my child is at the point of death o 
Death has, in some sense, already passed upon 
its powers; but thou canst raise the dead. My 
Father, speak the word, and say to me, even 
tome, ' thy child liveth.' Shall I hear that 
word? Will it come to me suddenly, or shall 
I witness the gradual breaking down of the 
strongholds of sin, or am I still to wait, as it 
were, in chains of darkness as to the result? 
Thy will be done. But sin is not thy will* 
neither dost thou will the death of a sinner. 
This teaches me that thou dost not will the 
death of this soul. Will God set me a delu- 
sive task, and give me grace to dedicate a child 
to him, without intending to complete the 
work for her which he had thus begun in me? 
What have I to disquiet me in this storm of 
the elements? Principalities and powers may 
be against me. What of this? God is for me. 
I have but to watch and pray, and this soul 



78 MEMOIR OF 

shall be given me, not for my diligence, or all 
the prayers I could offer. These are but the 
channel. A richer price is put into my hands 
to bring." 

" Oh, my child I mourn for thee, not as one 
dead for whom sweet hope remains, to bless 
and soothe the sorrows of a mother's heart. 
I utter groans for thee my child, led captive by 
Satan's wiles. My heart has bled when I have 
heard of the poor negro's sorrows — chained 
and led in bonds from parents, friends, and 
home. But, oh, light is that chain, and quick- 
ly off those bonds, inflicted by cruel men, 
compared with that spiritual tyranny under 
which thou hast long laboured, and art still 
held bound! Is there not a ransom? Has 
there not a price been paid? Then, why, my 
soul, dost thou not go boldly to the throne of 
grace, and ask that Redemption price, to be 
made over for thy child's release? Oh, God, 
I come this night. While all around me sleep, 
1 wake in anguish. Is there no balm in Gilead? 
How long, oh Lord, how long must I wait? 
Hush, my soul. Lord of life and power, make 
me to submit and wait thy time. But, oh, to 
wait in view of the cross; yes, close under it, 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 79 

with the drops of my Saviour's life-blood fall- 
ing thick and quickly around me, to heal my 
wounds !" 

The help of man and angels joined, 

Could never reach my case; 
Nor can I hope relief to find, 

But in thy boundless grace. 

No voice but thine can give me rest, 

And bid my fears depart, 
No love but thine can make me blest, 

And satisfy my heart. 

" The day breaketh. May my child have 
grace to lay hold of the sentiment in these 
lines. I read them last night, and instantly 
my heart seized them for her. I sat up late 
with the interests of my child, at the mercy 
seat, that place in glory, where the gracious 
Redeemer ever pleads for those who seek for 
pardon through his sufferings. Long have I 
been blessed with confidence in the sacrifice 
of the Son of God, one with the Father — very 
God of very God. I feel that my hope for all 
things rests in his atoning blood. I have re- 
ceived many mercies in virtue of that blood; 
among others, the fulfilment of promises to 
supplicating parents." 



80 MEMOIR OF 

" Sweet scenes above employ thy mind my 
daughter— all around you that love is brightly 
manifested, which in darkness hovered over 
thee here. Oh, is not my child one of those 
made white in the blood of the Lamb? Was 
not her cry to Jesus—- Jesus only? Through 
much tribulation thou hast entered the king- 
dom of God." 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 81 

CHAPTER IV. 

CHARITY. 

In whatever sense this term is understood, 
It received a beautiful, and in some respects, 
almost singular illustration in the life and 
character of Mrs. Page. One feature of it is 
discovered in the use which she made of 
money. It was in her power to have died 
wealthy; but at the end of her stewardship it 
was found that she had "cast into the treasury 
of the Lord all her living, even all she had." 

It might have been said of her as of the 
archbishop of Cambray, that at his death " he 
owed no man any thing, no man owed him, 
and he left nothing." Mrs. Page had a deep 
sympathy with every institution calculated to 
benefit her fellow creatures, or extend the 
Redeemer's kingdom, and she responded to 
the calls of most of them. 

The claims of her servants, however, she 
considered as paramount, and for their good, 
the greater part of what she had was expended, 
and this with a degree of pleasure that no 
miser ever felt in hoarding. Her charities 
8* , 



82 MEMOIR OF 

were not drawn wholly from that which re- 
mained after supplying all that refined life 
usually deems "necessary." 

She exhibited through her whole course 
that unerring proof of gospel charity — self- 
denial, for Christ's sake, while at the same 
time the pleasure of doing good caused her to 
take little account of things which the worldly 
in her station would regard as painful acts of 
sacrifice. But the expenditure of her sub- 
stance, although she gave all, was among her 
lowest acts of charity. That divine spirit 
appeared most lovely in her ministrations to 
the afflicted. To know that any one within 
her reach w T as in trouble, was sufficient to 
awaken a sympathy proportionate to distress. 
Her prayers and tears flowed as freely in the 
negro's cabin, as by the dying beds of the sons 
and daughters of pleasure. 

Those especially, who were under affliction 
on account of their sins, and inquiring what 
they should do to be saved, sought her society, 
and not without profit. Nor, also without 
reason, for in some cases when others seemed 
unable to understand what they felt or feared, 
they found the readiest apprehension in her. 
Her deep anxiety to do them good, drawing 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 83 

upon the riches of her own experience, enabled 
her so to unfold the love of God in Christ, as 
greatly to encourage and assist them in laying 
hold of him by faith. Forgetful of self, she 
grew not weary in serving others in all prac- 
ticable ways, even in cases where her affection- 
ate endeavours seemed not to be appreciated, 
and so giving constant proof that she was 
governed by higher aims and motives than 
any recompense that man can give or with- 
hold. With respect to those with whom she 
could not agree, or who opposed her in things 
of the importance of which she was conscien- 
tiously satisfied, it w 7 as her habit to cultivate 
toward them not only kindness of expression, 
but a real tenderness for their reputation, and 
even to associate them with herself in her ap- 
proaches to the throne of grace. 

In her intercourse with Christians of diffe- 
rent denominations, it was no effort of charity 
to love those not of the same church with her- 
self. She was quick to recognise the fruits of 
holiness, and these were sufficient to secure 
her affections and her confidence. It was 
always with pain that she heard things related 
to the disparagement of Christians of other 
names, even where they seemed to be true. 
She never could find pleasure in hearing de- 



84 MEMOIR OF 

tailed the faults of any of the people of God, 
while she regarded the Lord Jesus Christ as 
engaged to correct and forgive those faults and 
cast the very memory of them into the depths 
of the sea. The contention of Christians al- 
ways seemed a mystery to her, and she had a 
serious and pleasant way of arresting any con- 
versation calculated to increase them, by al- 
luding to that world where they would shortly 
rest from their sad divisions and unchristian 
quarrels. 

If we mistake not the signs of the times, the 
hour is coming apace, yea is already come, 
when this form of charity will be precious, and 
when it will be refreshing to point to the ex- 
amples of those who in this respect have shone 
as lights in the world, and w r ay-marks to heaven. 

Charity receives no such wounds as in the 
house of its friends. Is there any spectacle on 
this earth, beheld from heaven, so sad as that 
of Christians engaged in disparaging each 
other? The leaders of religious parties, and 
many others, have much to repent of and re- 
form in this respect, before Zion shall become 
terrible to an ungodly world, by her union, 
holiness and love. It cannot be doubted that 
there are many, very many, " contending V for 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 85 

what they call "the faith once delivered to the 
saints" who are only wronging their Master 
and his cause, and their own souls. 

The time must come, when partisans in 
ecclesiastical warfare shall bewail the evils 
they have done, and their repentance and con- 
fession will find forgiveness in heaven; but an 
unbelieving world will know of their sin, 
while they know nothing of that repentance 
which secures for them the efficacy of atoning 
blood, until the fatal influence upon themselves 
shall be revealed at the judgment day. 

And had we the ear of contending Christians 
whether in the same or different churches, we 
would appeal to them in view of an incon- 
sistency which might fill the earth with won- 
der, and ask — How long shall these things be? 
"For a wolf to worry a lamb is natural, but 
for a lamb to worry a lamb is not. For lilies 
to be among thorns is common; but for lilies 
to become thorns and tear each other, is mon- 
strous and strange. Shall Turks and Pagans 
agree? Shall Herod and Pontius Pilate agree? 
Shall the children of Moab, and Amnion, and 
Mount Seir agree? Yea, legions of devils act 
in concert, and shall not the saints agree whom 
one heaven must hold at last?" 



86 MEMOIR OF 

CHAPTER V. 

THE CLOSE OF LIFE. 

Mrs. Page was not a stranger to those 
scenes which have caused this world to be 
characterized as a "vale of tears." But they 
brought her into a nearer union and com- 
munion with God, the source of everlasting 
consolation, than she could otherwise have 
known, so that she cherished the memory of 
her trials as precious. 

But this only accords with the experience 
of all the people of God, from the beginning. 
We see it in the histories of many in Scripture, 
some being chosen even in the furnace of 
affliction. It was when Jacob was in the midst 
of his greatest troubles, that he had the most 
surprising manifestations of the divine pre- 
sence. It was then that he saw the angels of 
God ascending and descending in their glitter- 
ing robes. 

But with regard to any or all trials which 
the subject of this memoir met with, either in 
her religious course, or otherwise, it is to be 
recorded to the praise of God, that she did not 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 87 

serve a hard Master. She had a serenity and 
cheerfulness, an almost uninterrupted peace 
and happiness of mind, which seemed to arise 
from a living and ever-present apprehension 
that a God of infinite power and goodness was 
always near her. 

The state of her mind was plainly discerni- 
ble in her appearance. There was a saintly 
expression of countenance indicative of feel- 
ings at once animated and serene. Her se- 
riousness was rendered attractive by a radia- 
tion of benevolence, which could not escape 
observation, and was often remarked upon. 
She was an eminent example of the truth of 
the saying, that there is more joy in loving, 
than in being loved. To such a state of mind, 
that peace which passeth all understanding is 
indissolubly joined. It is doubtless that tem- 
per of spirit which will form the line of 
separation between the happy and the misera- 
ble to all eternity. For thirty years she had 
not had a doubt of her salvation. Nor was 
this confidence unwarranted. In a long and 
intimate acquaintance, the writer never heard 
her speak an idle word, and he could say of 
her what Bishop Burnet said of Archbishop 
Leighton, that for ysars together, he never saw 



88 MEMOIR OF 

her in any temper in which she would not be 
willing to be found at death. 

Far be it from me to ascribe perfection to her 
character. Were I to attempt it, as Fuller said 
of Wickliffe, that glorious saint would sooner 
chide, than thank me. She had infirmities, 
but they were not numerous. She had faults, 
but they were not great. The consciousness 
of infirmities would sometimes affect her to 
tears, especially under the apprehension that 
her example might be injurious to others. 

But it was pleasing to see how all things 
worked together for her advancement in the 
divine life, and that in no point did the Lord 
suffer his faithfulness toward her to fail. The 
same love which called her in the beginning, 
and made her a vessel of mercy, continued 
with her to the end. 

Indications were at length discoverable, that 
she had finished the work which God had given 
her to do on earth, and as her bodily strength 
failed, her soul seemed borne upon the wings 
of devout affection above all worldly things. 
Her heavenly discourse spread comfort and 
instruction around, and left an imperishable 
impression upon the minds of those who had 
the privilege of being with her. 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 39 

The following appear to have been the last 
papers which she wrote. 

" So far from its being a gloomy thing to 
make a will, how delightful to be able in 
health and the full possession of reason, to 
offer to God for the promotion of his kingdom 
whatever he has intrusted to our stewardship, 
and how sweet the prospect of his endowing 
us with better treasures wherewith to glorify 
him in future worlds." 

a My God, look upon me, and keep in my 
soul the constant conviction that I have a war- 
fare to accomplish, — that I am in a body of sin 
and death, and surrounded by principalities 
and powers of darkness, and that whenever I 
find my heart forgetting Thee, even from dis- 
order of body, much more from alienation of 
mind, I must cry mightily, and flee to Thee for 
safety, and cease not till I find Thee, my 
soul's chief treasure. 

When I meditate on the love thou hast 
manifested to thy creature man, my soul pauses 
in overwhelming wonder, and remains in si- 
lence, and the stillness of conscious inability to 
explore the vast work of creating and redeem- 
9 



90 MEMOIR OF 

ing love. In view of them, my soul waits on 
thee now at this midnight hour in joyful ado- 
ration, with hope grounded on thy word of 
promise. 

"0! love undeserved, redemption bought 
and bestowed on me by a price unknown even 
in heaven. Angels desire to look into the 
mystery of the Creator stooping to a union 
with his creature, and suffering the penalty in 
his stead* This wondrous fact remains to be 
unfolded throughout eternity, in the ever-open- 
ing volume of further regulations of the Deity 
to the redeemed of the Lamb. This will be 
the joy of heaven. Those who have entered 
there have begun their song. 0! that by 
faith we could hear and join them ! A little 
longer, and 0, my soul, the scene will be full 
before thee also. The partition wall is not to 
hold out long now." 

"For the last week, too sick to read or 
work. 0, my Father, my soul is laid at thy 
feet, where I cry to thee,, and show each want 
thy Spirit has made me sensible of, in myself 
and each dear object of my soul's affections." 

" glorious day, for which the Almighty 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 91 

Maker formed me, when delivered from this 
body of sin, I shall serve my God in perfect 
peace." 

" Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in 
"God, believe also in me. 

" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou 
s'hdlt be saved." 

" I do believe and I am saved. Believe with 
all thy heart unto salvation. I do believe with 
all my heart and I feel that it is salvation. 
From whence have I received this? From 
the source whence I received my being. How 
glorious to know my Creator! What want I 
more. On no delegated power do I lean. It 
is my Maker's own marvellous infinite power 
that is my dependence. Spirit of God, good 
and gracious hast thou been to me! How 
many days and nights, how many years of 
trouble and sorrow hast thou led me through 
and made all trials good by bringing me to see 
myself and my Saviour. intricate ways of 
Providence, how they unfold toward the last, 
now in the evening of my earthly journey, 
near night; — approaching my Father's house 
too, gloriously illuminated to receive me." 

The time of her departure was now at hand. 



92 MEMOIR OF 

A cold, contracted on a visit to a brother who 
was upon his death bed, was the visible cause 
of her more rapid decline which terminated 
on the 22th of March, 1838. During her last 
illness she had not a moment's unhappiness on 
any subject. There w 7 as no work upon which 
she had set her heart, that she had not accom- 
plished and completed. Her soul was filled 
with the peace of God w r hich passeth all under- 
standing. 

It was reflected from her countenance and 
manifested in all her conversation. As the 
sun seems larger at its setting, so in the exam- 
ple of this dying saint, grace seemed more 
illustrious at the conclusion of the work. The 
God whom she had so faithfully served kept 
back the king of terrors with so strong an arm 
that she never saw him. But she was not ig- 
norant that her end was nigh. And as it is 
pleasing to know 7 what thoughts have filled the 
souls of the saints in their last moments, some 
of hers are here given. 

" Pardon, constant pardon — I have never 
had any thing else to depend upon. I am a 
pardoned and redeemed sinner." 

There was no complaint or the least sign of 
impatience, though on one occasion, she said, " I 



MRS. ANNE R, PAGE. 93 

was tempted to complain within, but I looked 
£o the Lord, and he heard me and delivered 
me." She desired no obituary notice to be 
written or mention to be made of what she 
had done by partial friends, and the writer 
trusts that it is not to honour her, that he de- 
parts from one of the last requests of her hu- 
mility, but her Lord and Master, whom she 
now sees and worships, &cv 

She did not converse much, appearing to be 
mostly occupied in deep and pleasing thought* 

On one occasion apparently filled with grati- 
tude for the happy state she was in, she said, 
"When my Saviour died his Father's counte- 
nance was hidden from him, but it is not hid- 
den from me, it shines upon me constantly — 
I have sweet and heavenly visions as I lie upon 
this bed." 

At another time not long before her death, 
appearing to be engaged in meditation, she 
said, « This is a lovely hour," but did not tell 
the subject of her thoughts, and a little while 
after with a singular radiance upon her coun- 
tenance and an emphasis so peculiar as not to 
be described in words — "My whole heart and 
soul seem rising to heaven in the sweetest 
manner." — Yet all was serene. 
9* 



94 MEMOIR OF 

At about the hour of midnight and near the 
time when the mortal strife in her dissolving 
frame was greatest, a cloud arose attended with 
heavy thunder and the most vivid flashes of 
lightning, creating in those around her bed the 
usual impressions of alarm. A tree near the 
house w r as torn in pieces by a stroke, which 
also broke the glass in the room opening into 
her chamber. With an animated countenance 
she said, pointing to the windows through 
which she saw the fields illuminated by the 
electric fluid, "How glorious, how delightful 
is this to me — see — this is the power of My 
God." 

As the storm gradually subsided without, 
and the voice of God in the thunder was heard 
more remote, so that of his servant as if in 
harmony with the scene grew less distinct, and 
we gathered around to hear its last accents, 
But ere we w T ere aware, she had receded so 
far into the valley of the shadow of death that 
her voice could no longer be heard by us. 
With a smile of peace upon her countenance, 
and in a most affectionate manner, she held her 
hand, already cold, upon the faces of kneeling 
friends who were nearest to her, then gather- 
ing up her arms into the bed she fell into a 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. 95 

sweet sleep, which continued but a short time 
before her breath could be heard no longer, 
and all was still. 

A solemn silence ensued which none were 
disposed to break. We lingered unwilling 
to interrupt the frame in which she left us, or 
to leave the spot whence she departed, and 
where last we heard her voice, as the disciples 
would fain have continued in the place where 
they had heard the voices of Moses and Elias. 

Oh death where was thy sting! A feeble, 
fearful female encountered all thy terrors, 
without so much as an apprehension of evil. 
It did not seem so much like a death as like a 
translation. The body is indeed consigned to 
earth, to wait in darkness and silence for the 
resurrection; but the soul lives and triumphs 
and rejoices in open visions of God and of 
Christ. 

And so as to the departure of this eminent 
servant of God, we have endeavoured to 
meet the reasonable curiosity of a reader who 
delights to dwell on that which grace has 
effected for those who have died in the Lord. 
Faith strengthened by example overcomes that 
fear which hath torment and expects the vic- 
tory. 



96 MEMOIR OF 

When the news of Mrs. Page's death reached 
the Colony, a number of those whom she had 
emancipated from slavery joined in a letter ex- 
pressive of their sorrow for the event — of 
their sense of the debt of gratitude which they 
owed her, and of the affection which they bore 
to her memory. Numerous testimonies were 
borne to the lustre which her character had 
shed upon the gospel profession. 

The following is retained from an article 
written by the secretary of the institution to 
which she devoted so large a portion of her 
energies. It was published in the Christian 
Statesman, shortly after her death. 

"From the time when this most excellent 
woman regarded herself as the disciple of 
Christ, her life was a beautiful and impressive 
example of the purest and most sublime vir- 
tues of Christianity. Her humility was pro- 
found — her zeal intense — her love to the 
Saviour and his cause surpassing all other 
affections — her charity as large as the wants 
and miseries of our nature. Her religious 
sentiments seemed blended with all her 
thoughts and feelings, and inwrought into the 
very frame and constitution of her being. 
For her to live was Christ; all other objects 



MRS. ANNE R. PAGE. Y)7 

were subordinated to the advancement of his 
cause. Compared with his favour she counted 
all things but loss. Her service was not a 
service of fear, but of confidence — of gratitude 
— of love. 

" Her trust in Providence was most remark- 
able. In the darkest seasons and events there 
was light in her dwelling. She never doubted 
the active presence of a power which although 
invisible controls all tubings. 

" Self-denial, and disinterestedness were 
among the most deeply marked traits of her 
character. Forgetful of herself, she daily con- 
ferred benefits on others. To do good was 
her employment and delight; and in her ex- 
perience she realized the truth of our Saviour's 
words, < It is more blessed to give than to 
receive. 5 No human being was too ignorant 
— too obscure — or too wretched to be noticed 
and relieved by her. Her tender compassion 
for the weak and helpless, was a striking fea« 
ture in her benevolence. Like the great Pas- 
cal, she could say, ' 1 love the poor,' and add, 
as he did, among other reasons besides their 
own trials and sufferings, f because Jesus 
Christ loved them.' 

"Of the number of her good deeds, her 



98 MEMOIR OF 

blessed words, her prayers, and her plans of 
extensive usefulness, a volume might, and we 
trust will be written/ 7 

That work, often urged upon the writer, 
has been here attempted, and with the ex- 
pression of one or two thoughts, which have 
been deeply impressed upon his mind, from the 
materials brought before him in the preparation 
of this brief memoir, it will be concluded. 

First, Her ever-conscious experience of the 
faithfulness of God. The comfort and sup- 
port derived from this thought, she never lost. 
And the more she trusted in God, and en- 
deavoured by faith to place all her affairs in 
his hand, the more — like Abraham of old — 
she proved the unchangeable faithfulness of 
God to his people; and let it be recorded to 
the praise of the glory of his grace, in behalf 
of one whom he redeemed, called, renewed, 
sanctified, and now has glorified. The earlier 
parts of his work, he gave us to see; the last 
act is done in heaven, where every stipulation 
of the covenant is fulfilled. 

Secondly, The wisdom of the choice which 
she made. It must have been wise, though 
the happiness of religion were wholly con- 
fined to this world. Should it even prove 



MRS. ANNE R, PAGE. 99 

that there is no heaven — no hell — no judg- 
ment to come — and no eternity — let the 
world say whether he who lives as though 
there were, is not both a better and a happier 
man than he who lives uninfluenced by these 
considerations. The peace, the solid satisfac- 
tion enjoyed from day to day by the subject 
of this memoir, from her hope in God, was 
such as no worldly man ever felt. Again, 
with regard to the degree to which she carried 
her religion, her choice was equally wise, 
irrespective of the just claims of God. She 
rose above every doubt of her acceptance in 
Christ. The unspeakable blessedness and joy 
of being scripturally assured of their salvation 
can never be known to those who undertake 
the service of God with a divided heart. 
Those, and those only, who cast their choicest 
gifts into the treasury of the Lord, have a 
right to expect the return of Heaven's choicest 
gifts upon their souls. How often has God 
shown his power to make such happy? though 
they be without honours, without worldly 
pleasures, and without the smiles of creatures. 
We have seen with what peace they possess 
their souls in trial, and heard them say with 
composure, when every earthly hope has 



100 MEMOIR OF 

failed, u my witness is in heaven, my record 
is on high, and my Redeemer lives/' 

And when death comes, which is nature's 
terror, contrast their assured and triumphant 
hope with the misgivings, the fears, and the 
failings of heart, which station themselves at 
the gate of departure, to the unresolved and 
backsliding souh Distracting conflicts there 
are none. Hear some — so far from fear — 
address the pale king with triumph, and say 
"Be it known to thee, Death, that although 
1 cannot now resist thy hand, or escape thy 
arrest, I shall one day be brought up from thy 
territories w r ith Almighty power," — or to say 
in a frame less triumphant, but not less secure., 

"I shall see his face, 
I shall his love adore. 
And sing the wonders of his grace 
For evermore." 

Reader, is there wisdom in thus adventuring 
all for Christ, or is there not? You have seen 
the issue of the choice made by the subject of 
this narrative. Let this be compared with 
the probable issue of the choice of those who, 
when called of God like her, decline by any 
formal act or determination of heart, to be 
wholly for Christ, but virtually decide that 



MRS. ANNE R, PAGE. 101 

the indulgences of a worldly life, are not to be 
entirely renounced. Estimate the wisdom of 
that decision in the light reflected from an 
eternal world. What will their reflections be 
when their woridliness has run its course? 
when they shall have had their way, and re- 
ceived the penny which they agreed for? Con- 
sider what will be their apprehensions in the 
retrospect of life under an awakened con- 
science, and what their regrets when the day 
of usefulness is past ! 

Should the example just given, move you 
to the entire consecration of yourself to the 
service of your Redeemer, how can you tell 
but that God has caused it to pass before you 
for that very purpose? His will is your sanc- 
tificatiori; and his Spirit is waiting to accom- 
plish in you that blessed work. The cove- 
nant in which he engages to purify you from 
all iniquity is well ordered and sure. " Hath 
He said and shall he not do it? Hath He 
spoken and shall he not make it good?" 



THE END. 



10 



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IN PRESS, by H. HOOKER,— THE COMPLETE 
SERMONS OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D. D. Now 

first collected, and included entire, in 1 vol. 8vo. These 
splendid sermons contain all that is specially desirable 
to clergymen in the works of Taylor: — and will be 
printed on the best of paper, and sold at such a reduced 
price, as to place them within the reach of all. 






Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: May 2005 

PreservationTechnoIogies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 
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Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
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